Transmigration: The Fate of the Villainess

90 As long as you hold on Part I

“Insolent!” A maid beside the woman barked at her. “Rui Wang’s second consort is right in front of you. How could you not pay respect to Her Highness?!”

Bai Yu glanced at the maid, then moved her gaze to said second consort. Her sweat streaked face was calm. Her phoenix eyes focused on a teacup beside her and not the two women. “Benxiaojie does not recall that Rui Wang palace has a second consort.”

“Insolent!” The same maid continued to speak for her mistress.

“A few days ago, Wangye had said that sharing a roof with a woman doesn’t make her his wife...” Bai Yu revealed a smile. She lifted her hand and delicately touched accessories in her hair, acting as if she was pushing it in place. “Benxiaojie’s understanding should be correct.”

“Miss must have misheard,” the second consort spoke for the first time.

“Whether benxiaojie misheard or not does not change that benxiaojie has no business with women in this palace.”

“A young lady of a major family intruding Rui Wang palace at night...Benwangfei does not think it appropriate. That is why benwangfei came to welcome miss,” the second consort continued in a gentle tone. Bai Yu watched the smiling face of the person who so proudly addressed herself as ‘Benwangfei’ and sighed.

A pretty woman. The gentle and fragile mannerism. And on top of it all was the air of a ‘virtuous person’ that she maintained. Bai Yu knew well how to handle this kind of person.

The villainess in purple dress stood up, calmly and gracefully despite her inner urgency. She could not afford to lose her composure here unless she wanted to be ridiculed by them. In her right hand hid the black jade in her palm while her left hand covered over it in a manner of a noble. A heavy atmosphere emanated from her posture. She slowly approached the gentle consort, not stopping even when the proximity lessened to the point that they might collide.

.....

Phoenix’s eyes stared at the maid that hurriedly came to shield her mistress. The woman stepped back in an attempt to evade her advance. Although that maid seemed courageous enough, her gaze revealed the fear that reflected in both the master and servant.

Bai Yu did not use magic with them. She was merely playing the role of a villain in response to the other party’s heroine act. She stopped and stared straight at the consort, ignoring the shielding servant.

“Benxiaojie came to see Wangye because of a gravely urgent business. Being welcomed by the second consort is truly an honor for benxiaojie...” Though her words were respectful, arrogance still remained in how she called herself. There was no form of address, no ‘Your Highness’ when she spoke to the second consort who was considered a part of the royal family.

Her lips then moved to add with an aloof tone. In spite of her appearance, Bai Yu was not as calm as she acted, and so she did not bother to fake friendliness in her words. “Benxiaojie is doubtful of when Wangye’s affair had become second consort’s.”

“You dare criticize me?!” Her gentle act disappeared before she could control herself. Bai Yu hid an amused smile. This woman’s patience and acting skill were much inferior to Song Lianhua. She did not need to teach her much of a lesson here. Bai Yu touched the maid’s shoulder, gesturing her to not meddle in her and the noble woman’s conversation.

“If I may ask, could the second consort inform Wangye that the first miss of the Bai family had an urgent matter to discuss?”

“N...no need!”

Bai Yu frowned. She had no time to play with this woman!

“Then benxiaojie will do so herself.”

With a restless heart, Bai Yu was willing to be rude and immediately walked past the mistress of the palace. She tried to sense Ouyang Feilong’s magic current, even though the means had a low chance of success. She could only hope that he had not left.

But the second consort did not let her go so easily.

A forceful grip from the woman she had ignored held Bai Yu back, preventing her from walking further. The voice that had been soft now turned aggressive. “Shameless!”

Slap!

The impact on her cheek made her release her clasped hand, as well as her patience. Her one hand gripped the black jade so tightly that red lines appeared on her palm. She did not have much time. Her brother did not have much time...

Bai Yu turned away from the two women, willingly endured to overlook their actions. However, her left hand was jerked back again from behind. She lightly staggered, then pulled her arm from the woman’s hold before throwing her right arm out with all her force.

Slap!

Her right hand that was holding black jade collided with the face of the person who dared touch her.

The delicate face of the second consort immediately turned, following the momentum from her hand. Blood oozed from the corner of the mouth that had called her shameless.

Luckily, Bai Yu was gripping that jade, otherwise, her hand would have been tainted by this woman’s fake virtue.

“You!” Her eyes widened. The wrath in her gaze was unhidden. She held one hand against her cheek that was starting to swell, while the other hand raised, intending to respond to Bai Yu in kind.

Slap!

“Ah!”

But then, her palm turned toward herself. The second consort collapsed onto the floor as if she was so weak and fragile. The maid beside her who had been silent suddenly cried out. “Your Highness!”

Bai Yu frowned, watching another scene unfold.

“Wangye, please help. This miss hurt the second consort,” the maid tearfully pleaded. Her gaze cast to someone behind Bai Yu. She turned around, following her line of sight, to face the owner of the palace.

Ouyang Feilong stepped out from behind her. Because of the burst of her anger, Bai Yu could not sense his magic approaching. He must have seen what she did to his second consort, and now he must be thinking that she was harassing her, just like how that woman and her servant wanted.

Golden eyes stared into the dark ones.

“You two, leave.”

“This young lady hurt me. Wangye, please help-”

“Leave!” His eyes did not even glance toward his own consort.

Ouyang Feilong who had always been composed and indifferent now shouted at them. Even though it was their side who was hurt to the point of shedding blood, they received no attention from him at all. His eyes only focused on Bai Yu.

Bai Yu firmly gripped the jade in her hand, not averting her gaze from Ouyang Feilong’s until the two women left the room. Only there remained the master of the palace and the woman who possessed the jade that symbolized the palace’s authority.

One man and one woman gazed at each other amidst the creeping silence.

A drop of tear fell from jet-black eyes after it had once been suppressed by her when she rode her horse to the palace.

Ouyang Feilong stepped closer and pulled her smaller frame into his arms. The action of a man who had never cherished beauties was nothing but gentle as if he was afraid that woman in his embrace would cry until she herself crumbled down.

Bai Yu pressed her face against his warm chest. Her arms held him tight, seeking an anchor for her emotions as tears flowed freely. She had thought that Ouyang Feilong would accuse her of harming his woman, but now his arms told her that he did not blame her at all.

Ouyang Feilong knew what Bai Yu was feeling. That was the reason why he held her without uttering a word.

“My...hic...my brother...”

“Benwang knows.” His one hand hugged the trembling form in his arms, the other tenderly stroked her hair. His clothes were wet from her tears, but Ouyang Feilong paid no mind to it. He closed his eyes and listened to Bai Yu’s sobs. His heart wept, feeling the same pain as her.

How much did she have to endure to come here? Bai He’s condition was grave. The poison was of the level that his magic could not be used to heal him. As a commander, he could only use his magic to prevent the injury from becoming worse before leaving to prepare to find the ingredients for concocting the antidote. An antidote that only had a slim chance of being effective.

From what he saw of her, she must have already seen the state her beloved brother was in. Even though she could maintain her manners and composure when in front of others, this crying sound was Bai Yu’s true emotion. Now he had witnessed that her deceit was not always an ugly thing.

“Benwang will find the magic hare and take its heart to cure your brother. Don’t worry.” No matter how much he wanted to stay and comfort her, Bai He’s life was hanging on a thin thread. Ouyang Feilong had to hurry.

“I know where it is.”